I honestly have no complaints about this restaurant. If I ever had to choose my last meal, I'd happily order it from this menu! Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor. Huge compliments to the chef and everyone in the kitchen for creating such an incredible dining experience. I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and order the salmon with a citrus sauce and radishes. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm so glad I took the chance. The bright citrus flavors paired perfectly with the salmon, and the radishes added just the right amount of freshness and texture. I wouldn't change a single thing about the dish. The pasta was just as impressive. The sauce was rich, comforting, and full of flavor. It tasted like something my grandmother would have made from scratch--fresh, homemade pasta cooked with love. It had that comforting, homemade quality that makes a meal unforgettable. For dessert, I had the chocolate mousse, and it was phenomenal. It wasn't overly sweet, which I really appreciated. The texture was incredibly light, smooth, and airy, practically melting in my mouth with every bite. The service was just as wonderful as the food. Our waitress was kind, attentive, and genuinely pleasant throughout the meal, making the experience feel even more welcoming. The restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful, with a modern, elegant aesthetic that creates the perfect atmosphere for a special evening. It's an ideal spot for date night, but I actually dined alone and enjoyed every minute of it. The ambiance was so relaxing that I never felt out of place. This is the kind of restaurant you keep thinking about long after you've left. Between the exceptional food, warm service, and beautiful atmosphere, I'll definitely be back. read more

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Italiana by Zod has quickly become our go-to Italian, in a town full of competition! They truly excel in salads, pastas, and pizzas. You also cannot go wrong with the meatballs or the tres leches; there are plenty of places in town to get very good versions nearby, but we like the ones here best. We've always had great service here, from the hostess to servers. Whether weeknight or Sunday late brunch, the ambiance is always right. Everyone we know who's come here has raved about their experience. North Jersey teems with Italian restaurants. But Italiana really deserves its prime location in Montclair. read more

We were very pleased with our experience here. Cool vibe, kind/courteous/welcoming staff, and excellent food. We made reservations on a Saturday night and arrived before the place began to fill up. Our waitress was incredibly helpful, kind, and attentive, checking on us frequently and making recommendations. Gigli pasta was incredible. Truffle flavor, great creamy sauce, and generously portioned. The spicy Caesar salad was fresh, well-dressed, and flavorful. The meatballs were tender and moist, flavorful, and of a good size and in excellent sauce. Prices are fair for the quality of the food here. We will definitely return given the great experience and great food. read more

Update: Italiana has been doing a special 5 course tasting menu and these dishes are incredible. There's literally nothing like it in Montclair. $95 for tuna tartar, tomato soup, seafood dumplings, cod, duck, and dessert. I dream about this meal now. read more

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Everything about our experience here was delightful. From the greet staff right up to meeting the chef! Firstly, when you walk in, you (should) feel something from the décor. While the open space and checkered ceiling awakens you, the floral wall section calms you by being enchanting. The open floor plan and view of kitchen is modern without being too much-- so basically, you can sit and enjoy your meal with some privacy while being in open view of/ accessible to the staff. Our server was Brianna, who was a sweetheart and a half. We really appreciated her attentiveness and openness for substitutions or to put things on the side. For context, I have dietary restrictions and my friend has low tolerance to spice, so sharing the share-able portions posed a challenge. We ordered the cauliflower pizza, kale salad, salmon crudo, and hazelnut mousse for dessert, and were given the meatball app compliments of the chef. I am lactose intolerant so I was unable to eat much and I didn't state NOT to sprinkle the Parmesan on top of dishes, as many Italian restaurants do. I was prepared to eat the mozzarella of the pizza but could not handle having the parm that was on top, so I didn't have any of the pizza. BUT, I can tell you that cheese was fresh and definitely loved by all the other diners I saw enjoying their pizzas and pastas. The meatballs were great and a lifesaver. There is burrata at the bottom of the bowl (and it comes with Parmesan sprinkled on top) but I was able to eat some around all the cheese. The dessert was yummo. I only had a couple bites. The salad was my favorite-- bright, balanced, beautiful butternut squash in addition to the orange and bright, acidic dressing on the greens. When I go back, and I will, I'll be sure to ask for far less cheese and bring my favorite bottle of wine (this was a dry night). Also, in time, I'd love to see some gluten free options on the menu. Appreciate the warmth and hospitality and felt compelled to pay gratitude to the chef. read more

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01/16/2026 We came early as we often do, so no problem getting seated by Brianna who provided excellent service all night. At Brianna's recommendation, we started sharing a Spice kale / baby spinach salad as well as the salmon crudo (Sicilian orange, EVOO, jalapeno, basil and cucumber). Both appetizers were very, very good. Would have enjoyed a little more of the crudo, but the kale salad was a very nice proportion. We decided to share a sausage pizza ('home made sausage, fresh mozzarella, onion and hot chili peppers... and the Gigli (wild mushrooms, pecorino, black truffle and scallion) pasta. While both dishes were really, really good, the Gigli pasta was amazing. I really need to see if I can clone this creamy mushroom pasta dish at home. Italiana by ZOD is a BYOB... which is always a plus in our book. read more

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I don't know if it was an off night or we ordered the wrong things, but dinner here was incredibly underwhelming. I was a little surprised to get here at prime dinner hour on a Friday night, only to find most of the restaurant empty. My boyfriend and I shared the meatballs, sausage pizza and the truffle chicken parm. Every dish was overwhelmed by a large amount of onions, from the filling in the meatballs to the topping on the pizza. We did enjoy the accompanying cheese with the meatballs, and the crust was done nicely on the pizza. The chicken was by far the most disappointing, and we're both big fans of truffle. The "side" of potatoes was perplexing...just four chunks of potato. Attentive service, with our water constantly refilled, and we loved the freedom to bring our own bottle of wine. read more

Our first time here- cute place recently opened. BYOB & great with food allergies. Great service - good food- fun vibe We had meatballs, Bibb salad with lemon parm dressing, wedge with blue cheese, cacio d pepe, & Margarita pizza. Delicious! The staff was so nice they kept checking in if we needed anything. We will come back again soon. Enjoy! read more

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Food was unique and fresh. The cream and mushrooms was aromatic in the giggli pasta. The Marg pizza was perfect in thickness and great taste especially the tomatoes sauce. I wish it had a little bit more cheese. read more

Well done with service and staff very caring and space is large for groups and parties. The food is really good which is a plus! Pizza and their pasta, definitely a big fan od their truffle n mushroom pasta! Check them out and come hungry! Zod is a great chef, cannot wait to return. read more

Italiana By Zod - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

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Perfect date night spot in Montclair! Lots of great items to choose from and a little something for everyone! Everything on the menu is shareable. Service was excellent and the restaurant is beautiful! BYOB, so bring your favorite wine! And don't skip dessert - a true standout! Check out our full visit here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSGtNkFDUYt/?igsh=MW05MHYxOWc2bGNtMQ== read more

Italiana By Zod - House Made Sausage Pizza - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

I was excited to try this new Italian restaurant but was left wanting. First of all, the menu was in very, very small font and with the dim lighting made it near impossible to read. Out came my camera flashlight. When we ordered, we were told it would be best to order items we both would want to share because the food will come out when it's ready so my appetizer may come out before my friends. We decided to spit the gem salad and the mushroom pizza. They both came out at the same time. The pizza was phenomonal. Fresh, tasty and piping hot. The salad was very nice as well. The place filled up and became very loud so it was difficult to hear. We packed up our leftover apps and as we were doing so our two pasta dishes appeared. It felt very rushed. I had the tagliattle with pumpkin and cacio y pepe. Neither one of the dishes was hot. It felt like it had been sitting out waiting while we finished up our appetizers. We nibbled on our pastas and ended up taking it home. Neither one of us were overly impressed by them. I know they are still working out their kinks and would definitely focus on the timing of when the food is brought out and to ensure it's not room temperature. read more

Excellent meal with friends, staff was attentive, Menu was creative. Cabbage and peanuts on pizza! Wow. Very comfortable dining room. read more

We had a reservation for 6pm on a Friday night. And ordered 9 dishes. We were visited frequently to ask if we wanted to pack up our food, we replied No still working on it. By 7:30, they grabbed our food and started to pack them up, even though we were still eating. Not once did they mention there's a specific length of time to dine. We would've appreciated a heads up. When we were given the check, it was placed on the table and the server ran away. No "thank you" was stated. Some of the food was flavored great, but wasn't as warm as we'd like. Until they fully train their staff on customer service, I wouldn't recommend that place. read more

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My wife and I and another couple had the pleasure of dropping in last weekend. Zod's is the classic neighborhood, go to place! Consistently great, consistently unpretentious and just a great meal for the money. Zod is an amazing chef, creative and seems to have his hand on the pulse of what's fresh, what's hot at the moment and most importantly puts it into an amazing meal. The pizzas are fantastic, different, not your run of the mill Pizzeria offering. My wife had the seafood linguine which was off the charts. I had the short rib special which was exceptional as well. I missed BLU, Zods place for a decade on Bloomfield Avenue and was thrilled to see him come back to Montclair. The service was excellent, the atmosphere is great, you can actually carry on a conversation without screaming or straining to hear. I love this new place and recommend Italiana By Zod . 5 stars all the way! read more

So glad after reading the few reviews we went... and it was fantastic! Service was great, very friendly. Bibb Salad was tasty that we shared. I had the Gigli which the server recommended and I will be back for it again. The Mafaldine Alla Norma was equally as delicious. A little hard cutting that crust on the deconstructed cheesecake but still again tasted great. Overall it was a stellar experience and we willbe back! read more

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Fantastic food, service and ambiance. The mushroom pizza was so good I ate it too fast to take a picture, but I loved the flowers everywhere. BYOB, we chose to stick with soda read more

Italiana By Zod - How could you not take a seat here?? - Italian Near Me - Montclair, New Jersey

First time trying and WOW! The service was great, the food came out perfectly timed! The food was amazing! From the apps to the entrees! Also the inside is very cozy and comfortable ! 10/10!! read more

Just about everything went wrong. The service was bad and incredibly slow. It took 30 minutes to place our order and another hour before we saw food, and we had a six year old and a four year old with us. The food was average at best and the previously delicious mushroom and truffle dish had no hint of truffles. read more

The food was amazing, appetizers were great, and service was outstanding!!! The atmosphere was so welcoming!

Food was amazing and service was so quick!! Loved the atmosphere and vibes. My friends and I will defiantly be coming back!

The food was perfect. Zod still has the touch from his Blu & Next Door days. Good prices too! New favorite old place! I've been three times since he opened! read more

Excited for this new restaurant. The photos and hype on social media was all fake. The restaurant was like a two year old designed and decorated. The front male host was very un-refined and lacked class. The writing on the menu was so tiny you couldn't read the words. The food was mediocre, which is sad. Especially from a chef who has years of experience. Three in our party and we ordered one item from each course and shared, per the waitress suggestion. The meatballs were all beef and tiny. They didn't taste fresh and lacked flavor. Not to mention i had a piece of hair in mine. YUCK! The spicy kale Caesar was good. The pasta was not edible. No flavor or zest. Based on social media i was under the impression that the pasta was Homemade. WRONG! Pizza was just ok! The crust was dry and tough. I always like to give a new business a chance to grow and remove the kinks, but in this case, i Will not be back! The chef is a veteran and should cook and know better. You walk past the kitchen and see the chef with his long hair all over the place: not proper hygiene for a chef. Hence the hair in my food. read more

I am giving a very generous 4 stars to one of many Italian eateries in Montclair. I would have given it a 3.5 if possible, but in the holiday spirit I'm laddering up to 4 stars. The spicy kale Caesar salad was tasty, but rather stemmy, as in teeming with stems. The meatballs were done perfectly and came in a very tasty marinara sauce with ricotta cheese. The pizza I had was a perfect size, and came with a nice amount of delicious homemade sausage, and those crazy long hots which seem to be a Jersey staple and brought a lot of heat. The big disappointment of the evening was the salmon in some sort of an orange glaze that brought nothing to the party. The salmon itself was nothing special either. The decor of the restaurant also leaves much to be desired. Some sort of a tacky fake floral theme tacked onto white lattice that would have been better left unadorned. I might take out a pizza and salad in the future, but as for dining in again I think I'll take a pass. As I said, a generous holiday 4 stars that was a bit more Ho Hum than Ho! Ho! Ho! read more

Disappointed on many levels, mostly the food. Brussels sprouts were cold as were the potatoes that came with my Chicken Truffle Parm. The chicken was not very good and had a strange layer of sauce under the cheese that didn't taste very good. My family also was disappointed with the pasta and the pizza. Nobody finished the food and we passed on the offer to bring it home. Hope they can improve. read more

Whole experience was great! delicious food, great atmosphere, service and server were great. would definitely recommen!

Wow! Service is incredible. Friendly, patient lovely staff. Food options and taste were incredible! Highly recommend! I live in this town and this place is a must! read more

I walked in an I was greeted by the most welcoming host she made us feel comfortable right away. I absolutely loved the vibe and food of this restaurant. If you come you need to have the truffle pizza and spicy vodka pasta. The rest of the staff were very attentive and made our experience an 11/10! This is definitely a hidden gem in Montclair! I couldn't recommend it more! Will be back!!! read more

From the minute we walked in the door--the hostess was so welcoming--the whole experience was great. The ambience was just what we wanted. The food was everything you would expect from a Michelin-star chef. We especially liked the meatballs, pasta, and chocolate mousse, but I think you can't go wrong here. It's a must- visit. We will be back! read more

Italiano by Zod is one of the best new restaurants in New Jersey. Chef Zod Arifai reimagines Italian food with bold, modern flavors--every dish I've tried (six visits and counting) has been outstanding. The Fire-Roasted Chicken Parm, house-made pastas, and creative wood-fired pizzas are must-tries. Unique touches--like miso fusilli or pistachio cake with basil--set this place apart. Still ironing out a few kinks, but the food is exceptional. Highly recommend. read more

We had high hopes but alas. All the food was oversalted and at the same time bland. Chicken parm was flavorless. Two kids' pastas and 3 entrees were $200. Try any other Italian place in Montclair, way less pricey and better quality. read more